Brendan Rodgers new Reading manager

Reading have agreed a compensation deal, which could be worth £1 million, with
Watford to appoint Brendan Rodgers as successor to Steve Coppell.

In the hot seat: Brendan Rodgers will be under pressure to earn promotionPhoto: PA

By John Ley

12:57PM BST 04 Jun 2009

Coppell resigned just minutes after Reading failed to reach the Championship play-off finals, losing to eventual winners Burnley at the Madejski Stadium, and soon afterwards chairman John Madejski claimed the club had received around 100 applications for the post.

But Rodgers, previously Reading’s Academy coach, was always the first choice and today the club finally agreed compensation with fellow Championship club Watford, with an initial £500,000 agreed, with the figure possibly rising to £1m.

Rodgers left Reading when he was poached by Jose Mourinho, to coach Chelsea’s reserves. He impressed in that role and, last season, was called on to replace Aidy Boothroyd and keep Watford in the Championship.

He succeeded, but has maintained links with Reading; he still lives in the area and is close friends with Nicky Hammond, the club’s director of football.

Watford chairman Jimmy Russo admitted that he was powerless to prevent the Northern Irishman from moving on.